Monday, May 31, 2010

To date we have visited a total of 223 Minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. 215 of which of been in the UK. Of these we've managed to actually play 172 of them, the others being closed on our visit for a number of reasons (or they were derelict!).

To reach and play the 100th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour took us two years, eight months and one week from Saturday 30th September 2006. In the year since the 100th course was played we have managed to play a further 72 courses, to bring the total number of visits to 223 overall.

Friday, May 28, 2010

On page 80 of this week's (27/05/10) Luton Herald & Post newspaper there is a story about our participation in the Codonas Classic and BMGA Scottish Open held at Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Codonas Aberdeen Beach.

You can view the digital edition of the newspaper and the "Golfers enjoy a mini break" story here.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Last night (25th May) we made a 51-mile round-trip to Melbourn in Cambridgeshire to visit a Crazy Golf course in a Pub Beer Garden. Fellow minigolf course fanatics Owen and Paul Johnson had tipped us off about its whereabouts and as it was fairly close to us, we had to visit.

The course is at the Dolphin Pub in Melbourn and has only 4-holes!?

Video introducing the course visit.

Video walk-around the course.

While we were at the pub, which by the way was nice and friendly and had plenty of other stuff to do (quiz machine, pool table, dart board), I asked at the bar why the course was only 4-holes? The answer was that a previous owner had thought it was a good idea to have a course, and it used to be popular, but had fallen into disuse and was now 'just there'. A shame really as it could be a great spot for a pint, some food and a Putt or two!

Following the first-ever BMGA Scottish Open in Aberdeen last Sunday, some of the tournament competitors stayed on at Codonas Aberdeen beach to enjoy the venue and its attractions including the Shooting Shack, Penny Falls, Pool, Rides and Tenpin Bowling.

Seven of those players also decided to play a a one-round shootout competition called the 'Tennants (sic) Super League Minigolf Tournament' on the 18-hole Congo Indoor Adventure Golf Course.

The competition featured players from England, Scotland, Finland and Gibraltar and was won by London's Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a score of 32(-4), setting a new Unofficial BMGA Player Course Record in the process. London's Alan 'Stormin' Norman was runner-up with 36(par), with Luton's 'Squire' Richard Gottfried finishing third with 37(+1).

Prior to the main-event BMGA Scottish Open in Aberdeen that took place at Pirate Island Adventure Golf, Codonas Aberdeen Beach last Sunday, seven members of the Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) competed in a one-round shootout competition called the 'Midlands Mini Miniatures Invitational' on Saturday 15th May 2010.

The format saw teams of two selected via a random draw. Richard was one of the seeded players and was drawn with British number 47 Leo Kukielka from Cwmbran, Wales. Each pair played one round of the 18-hole course with both players’ scores counting towards the team total in the nine team field. Richard scored a 33(-3), with Leo hitting a 37(+1) for a total of 70(-2) which earned them second place, behind Oxford’s Michael Smith and Brechin’s Freddie Blackburn-Shaw who scored a total of 66(-6).

BMGA Scottish Open

The inaugural BMGA Scottish Open tournament was held on Sunday 16th May, with both Richard and Emily competing in the 29-player field.

Richard said “It was a great tournament weekend and the course and venue in Aberdeen was excellent. I’m really pleased with performances and thought me and Leo did really well as a team to earn second place in the Codonas Classic. The Scottish Open was my 50th BMGA Tour competition since my debut in 2007, and although I didn’t win it, the ranking points from my 8th place finish have pushed me into the top-ten of the BMGA Order of Merit for the first time. Reaching the top ten is another minigolf career objective of mine achieved.”

In the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings Richard has moved up three places to a career best Order of Merit Ranking of 10th of 80 ranked players, with 2,206 points. Emily has moved up two places and is also now at a career best ranking at 29th, with 816 points.

In the BMGA Season Only Rankings Richard has moved up three places to be ranked 8th of 83 players, with 2,350 points, having played in four of the five qualifying ranking tournaments so far this season. Emily has entered the Season Only Rankings at number 50, with 365 points from the Scottish Open, as it was her first singles ranking event of the year.

Last Monday I was invited to run some Minigolf Lessons at the Tea Green Golf Club Fun Day at Wandon End, near Luton.

Despite the less than sunny weather, there was a good turnout at the Fun Day. In addition to the Minigolf lessons visitors also had the chance to play a round of BIG Golf, have a free lesson with the Club's PGA Pro, practice their Putting, try their luck on the Driving Range with a 17th Hole at Sawgrass Challenge and a lot more.

At the event I gave one-to-one sessions with players looking to try out the sport of Minigolf. I ran through the basic rules, and fundamentals such as grip, stance, swing and shot types.

Photos:Showing a player the right way to play a tee-shot on Hole-1.

Practicing Hole-2.

Showing fellow Lutonian Simon Hall a shot on Hole-5.

Practicing the dog-leg 6th Hole.

Lester, the Club Manager also lined up a number of his BIG Golf Club members for challenge matches against me – happily I won them all.

My fellow Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) Members Paul and Owen Johnson also came down to the event to lend their support and also have some challenge matches.

If you're in, or near, Luton make sure you check out Tea Green Golf Club for a warm welcome, good food and drink, and of course Minigolf (and BIG Golf)!